Pressure latching check valve

ABSTRACT

A check valve contains two chambers connected together by a restricted flow passageway and a valve element movable from one of the chambers to the other chamber through the flow passageway in response to fluid pressure changes. At fluid flow velocities below a predetermined velocity fluid flows through the chambers and the flow passageway therebetween unimpeded. When the fluid&#39;&#39;s velocity rises above the predetermined velocity the valve element moves to close the flow passageway to flow of fluid therethrough. With the valve element positioned on the passageway stopping or significantly restricting flow of fluid, increases in fluid pressure force the valve element through the restricted flow passageway into the other chamber to trap the valve element therein to prevent flow of fluid in either direction through the chambers and the flow passageway.

Mason 1 Oct. 23, 1973 PRESSURE LATCHING CHECK VALVE Primary1255152144565P. Schwadr on Assistant Examiner-David R. Matthews [75] Inventor: JohnP. Mason, Midland, Tex. Atwmey-ThomaS B Mccunoch at a] [73] Assignee:Esso Production Research M" Company, Houston, Tex, "Mm [57] ABSTRACT '1.2 [22] Fl ed Aug 1971 A check valve contains two chambers connected to-[21] Appl. No.: 174,842 gether by a restricted flow passageway and avalve element movable from one of the chambers to the other hamber throuh the flow assa ewa in res onse to 52 US. Cl. 137 460 137 519.5,137533.11, c g P g Y P l 1 l 127mm 2 277/164 fluid pressure changes. Atfluid flow velocities below a [51] Int Cl 17/24 predetermined velocityfluid flows through the cham- [58] Fieid 498 519 5 bers and the flowpassageway therebetween uniml37/525 2 25 peded. When the fluids velocityrises above the predetermined velocity the valve element moves to closethe flow passageway to flow of fluid therethrough. [56] References CitedWith the valve element positioned on the passageway stopping orsignificantly restricting flow of fluid, inr UNlTED STATES PATENTScreases in fluid pressure force the valve element Abbot et al l37/5l6.25X through the restricted flow passageway into the other a k chamber totrap the valve element therein to prevent ar r.. 3,406,979 10/1968 Weber277 164 x g' through the chambers 20 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures IO A 1211 I4 l5\y Pmimeunma ms 3.766340 INVENTOR. JOHN F. MASON,

JOHN S. SCHNEIDER,

ATTORNEY.

PRESSURE LATCHING CHECK VALVE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The presentinvention concerns check valves and, in particular, a pressure latchingtype check valve for use in remote control systems.

Gauges used to monitor the fluid pressure in flow or process equipmentare frequently installed remote from the equipment with the sensed mediapiped through extension tubing to the gauges. If the extension tubing isbroken, the sensed media may leak out or ambient fluid may leak in. Ifthe process pressure fluctuates about ambient pressure, fluid willalternately leak in and out. Failure of instrument lines may requirethat an entire system be shut off.

Check valves are often installed in critical instrument lines to preventpossible leakage. These valves are designed to allow flow in only onedirection or to stop excessive flow. The performance of these checkvalves is strongly dependent upon the condition of the valve seats.Through long service the check valve seats may be damaged and notprovide tight seals when needed. Also, if the system pressure fluctuatesabout ambient, a double acting check valve is required which mustrepeatedly seal, shift with the direction of pressure, and reseal untilthe line is fixed.

The present invention provides a check valve which will positively seala broken line. The valve is particularly adaptable for use in remotecontrol systems submerged in water or any fluid.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A pressure latching check valve comprising avalve housing for connection into a flowline and containing two flowchambers; a restricted flow passageway between said two flow chambers; aflow port arranged on each chamber; and a valve member normally largerin size than the flow passageway arranged in one of the chambers andmovable in response to increased fluid flow velocity to close off theflow passageway and thereafter movable through the flow passageway intothe other chamber in response to increased fluid pressure to trap thevalve member in the other chamber. The valve member or the wall of theflow passageway or both are sufficiently resilient to permit passage ofthe valve member through the flow passageway. The check valve may bemade double acting by providing a trap chamber'for the valve member oneach side of a main check valve chamber.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGS. 1A, B and C illustrate variousoperational positions of the check valve in accordance with oneembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a check valve similar to that shown in FIG. 1A but inwhich the trap chamber is provided with multiple ports;

FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment of the invention in which thecheck valve of the invention is double acting;

FIG. 4 illustrates still another embodiment of the invention in whichthe wall of the restricted flow passageway is made of resilientmaterial;

FIG. 4A illustrates another embodiment of the invention in which boththe valve member and the wall of the restricted flow passageway are madeof resilient material;

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate another embodiment of the invention in whichthe restricted flow passageway is formed by an expandable-contractibleO-ring; and

FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 illustrate three uses for the check valve of theinvention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION Referring toFIG. 1A, there is shown a valve housing 10 containing a flow chamber 11and a trap chamber 12 between which there is a restriction or restrictedflow passageway 13. The interior walls of valve housing 10 are formed ofinelastic, rigid material. Chamber 11 has a fluid inlet port 14, thedirection of fluid flow being indicated by the arrowed lines, andchamber 12 has a fluid outlet port 15. A malleable generally sphericalor ball shaped valve member 16, larger than restriction 13 but havingsufficient resiliency to be forced through the restriction underpressure, is positioned in chamber 11 when fluid flowing through valvehousing 10 is flowing under normal conditions at or below a preselectedvelocity.

As seen in FIG. 13 upon an increase in velocity above the preselectedvelocity valve member 16 is carried by the flow of fluids throughchamber 11 onto restriction 13 and seats on valve seat 17 in chamber 11to block (or partially block) flow of fluids through valve housing 10.

As shown in FIG. 1C, increasing the pressure of fluids in chamber 11forces valve member 16 through restricted passageway 13 and stuffs valvemember 16 into trap chamber or cavity 12 which confines valve member 16tightly enough to stop flow of fluids in either direction, that is,through outlet port 15 or through restricted passageway 13. The relativeresiliencies of valve members 16 and the material forming restriction13, the area of the restriction 13, and the relative sizes of valvemember 16 and restriction 13 controls the fluid pressure required to setthe check valve.

The check valve may be either'permanent or resetable by reverse pressureby controlling the sizes of inlet port 13 and outlet port 15 of trapchamber 12. The check valve also may be selectively resetable by usingdifferent size inlet and outlet ports 13 and 15, respectively.

In FIGS. 2 a trap chamber 12a is provided with three outlet ports 15a,15b and 15c. The operation of the valve is similar to the operationdescribed with respect to FIGS. 1A to IC. When valve member 16a isforced through restricted passageway 13:; all three outlet ports andpassageway 13a are sealed off.

A double acting check valve is illustrated in FIG. 3. A valve housing 23contains two trap chambers 20 and 21 positioned on opposite sides of aflow chamber 22. A valve member 24, similar to valve member 16, ispositioned in chamber 22. When fluid flowing through valve housing 23 ineither direction exceeds the design level velocity, valve member 24 isforced against either seat 26 or seat 27 in chamber 22 depending uponthe direction of the fluid flow. With the valve member seated in eitherof the restricted flow passageways 28 or 29, increased pressure of thefluids in the direction of previous flow through valve housing 23 forcesvalve member 24 through the restricted passageway into either chamber 20or 21 to stop flow through the outlet ports 30 or 31.

The modification illustrated in FIG. 4 employs a rigid valve member 35and a restricted passageway 36 formed in a valve housing 37 by resilientor deformable material 38. Valve member 35 is moved onto seat 39 formedby material 38 upon increased fluid velocity in the direction of thearrows above a preselected design velocity to stop (or partially stop)flow of fluids through valve housing 37. With valve member 35 seated onpassageway 36 increased fluid pressure in the direction of the arrowsforces valve member 35 through restricted passageway 36 into trapchamber 40 in which position valve member 35 blocks fluid flow in eitherdirection through valve housing 37.

The modification illustrated in FIG. 4A employs a resilient valve member35a and a restricted passageway 36 formed in valve housing 37 byresilient or deformable material 38. Valve member 35a is moved onto seat39 formed by material 38 upon increased fluid velocity above apreselected design velocity to stop (or partially stop) flow of fluidsthrough valve housing 37. With valve member 35a seated on passageway 36increased fluid pressure forces valve member 350 through restrictedpassageway 36 into trap chamber 40 in which position valve member 35ablocks fluid flow in either direction through valve housing 37. Thus,either the valve member or the restriction or both may have resilience.

The operation of the embodiment of FIGS. SA and B is similar to theoperation of the embodiment of FIG. 4. However, the formation of therestricted passageway is different. In FIGS. 5A and 58 a restricted flowpassageway 41 is formed by a hollow O-ring 46 made of resilient materialsurrounding a closed circular coiled spring 47 and positioned in arecess 44 formed in a valve housing 42. A rigid, nondeformable valvemember 48 seats in the opening in the O-ring upon increased fluidvelocity above a preselected velocity to close off flow of fluid throughthe O-ring. With the valve member in that position increased fluidpressure in chamber 43 forces the valve member through the O- ring intotrap chamber 45 as O-ring 46 expands and then springs back to itsoriginal shape and size.

An application of the check valve shown in FIGS. 1A, B and C isillustrated in FIG. 6. A flow conduit 50, conveying, for example, oilproduction fluids, has connected to it a line 51 leading to a pressurerecorder, not shown. Check valve is positioned in line 51. The pressurein conduit 50 is assumed greater than in the media surrounding theconduit. A break or leak in line 51 would cause the fluid velocity inconduit 50 to increase forcing valve member 16 onto seat 17 to preventloss of production fluid flowing in conduit 50. With fluid flow thusstopped, no serious loss of fluid from conduit 50 will occur while thetrouble is diagnosed. The broken line can then be permanently sealedfrom a remote location, if desired, by increasing pressure in conduit 50to force valve member 16 through restriction 13 into trap chamber 12.This feature is especially advantageous if conduit 50 is submerged atdeep depths in water (FIG. 8) or is located in some. other type problemenvironment.

In FIG. 7 use of a multiple port outlet is illustrated. A conduit 55, asupply header for a hydraulic control system, has connected to it aseries of branch lines 56, 6

and 59 are connected to the ports 15a, 15b and (FIG. 2) and lead tovarious functions in the hydraulic control system. If one or more of thebranch lines 57, 58 or 59 were broken, the leak would be sealed offpermitting other parts of the control system controlled by other branchlines 56 to operate normally without excessive loss of fluid. Thedamaged branch line could be sealed permanently by increasing pressurein conduit 55 to trap valve member 16a in trap chamber 12a and blockflow through line 56 to or from branch lines 57, 58 and 59. Thisapplication would be valuable in aircraft, submarine or process controlsystems where some control functions could be lost without loss of allcontrol.

In FIG. 8 a conduit 60, shown submerged in a water environment 61, hasconnected to it a line 62 on which is located one of the check valves ofthe invention, as for example, the double acting check valve of FIG. 3.Valve member 24 in housing 23 functions to close off and block flow offluid through the valve housing in either direction depending upon thedirection of flow of fluids through line 62.

The arrangement shown in FIG. 8 could be used in either of theapplication described above with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. Thepressure in conduit 60 could be either higher or lower or fluctuatingabove and below the pressure of the water. If the pressure in conduit 60were higher than the pressure of the water, the valve would operate asdescribed with reference to FIGS. 6 or 7. If the external water pressurewere higher, the valve would be set by lowering the pressure in conduit60. Such an arrangement is especially useful in high pressure pipingsystems located at deep depths in the ocean.

An operator at a remote station may, by use of controls to shift valves,increase fluid pressure to set the check valve which would remotelyclose any damaged line in which it is positioned until repairs can bemade. The check valve is preferably designed to set at pressures wellabove expected normal system operating pressures to avoid accidentalsetting. The relative sizes of the inlet and outlet ports would preventunlatching when the fluid pressure is reversed.

The check valve does not have to block flow in both I directions and itsuse is not restricted to instrument lines. It may be used in any branchline of a flow or hydraulic or pneumatic control system to protect themain supply from breaks in inaccessible branches, Additional examplesfor use of the check valve are fuel and power fluid systems or controlsystems for aircraft, space vehicles, submarines, exposed subseasystems, or hazardous environment systems such as nuclear facilities.

The resilient material referred to herein may suitably be a durable,corrosion-resistant rubber or rubber like compound having the properresiliency characteristics.

Changes and modifications may be made in the illustrative embodiments ofthe inventions shown and/or described herein without departing from thescope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having fully described the objects, advantages, apparatus and operationof my invention, I claim:

1. A pressure latching check valve comprising:

a valve housing for connection into a fluid flow line and containing aflow chamber and a trap chamber and a restricted flow passageway orrestriction therebetween;

at least one flow port arranged on each of said chambers; and

a valve member normally larger than said restriction initially arrangedin said flow chamber capable of being moved to close off flow of fluidsthrough said restriction in response to changes in fluid velocitythrough said chambers and being moved from said flow chamber to saidtrap chamber through said restriction in response to changes in fluidpressure in said flow chamber, said valve member being resilient topermit movement of said valve member through said restriction into saidtrap chamber, said valve member preventing flow of fluids through saidtrap chamber when said valve member is positioned in said trap chamber.

2. A check valve as recited in claim 1 in which said trap chambercontains a plurality of ports and said valve member prevents flow offluids through one or more of said ports when said valve member ispositioned in said trap chamber.

3. A check valve as described in claim 1 in which said valve is doubleacting and includes an additional trap chamber connected to said flowchamber through another restricted flow passageway or restrictionpermitting said yalve member to move into either of said trap chambersthrough said restrictions dependent upon the direction of fluid flow,said flow port on said flow chamber being said restricted flowpassageway between said flow chamber and said additional trap chamber.

4. A check valve as described in claim 1 in which said valve membercomprises resilient material.

5. A check valve as recited in claim 1 in which the relativeresiliencies of said valve member and said restriction, the area of saidrestriction and the relative sizes of said valve member and saidrestriction control the fluid pressure required to move said valvemember through said restriction and set the check valve.

6. A pressure latching check valve comprising:

a valve housing for connection into a fluid flowline and containing aflow chamber and a trap chamber and a restricted flow passageway orrestriction therebetween;

at least one flow port arranged on each of said chambers; and

a valve member normally larger than said restriction initially arrangedin said flow chamber capable of being moved to close off flow of fluidsthrough said restriction in response to changes in fluid velocitythrough said chambers and being moved from said flow chamber to saidtrap chamber through said restriction in response to changes in fluidpressure in said flow chamber, said restriction being resilient topermit movement of said valve member through said restriction intosaidtrap chamber, said valve member preventing flow of fluids throughsaid trap chamber when said valve member is positioned in said trapchamber.

7. A check valve as described inclaim 6 in which said restrictioncomprises resilient means.

8. A check valve as described in claim 7 in which said resilient meanscomprises resilient material.

9. A check valve as described in claim 7 in which said resilient meanscomprises a closed spring surrounded by resilient material.

10. A check valve as recited in claim 6 in which said trap chambercontains a plurality of ports and said valve member prevents flow offluids through one or more of said ports when said valve member ispositioned in said trap chamber.

11. A check valve as described in claim 6 in which said valve is doubleacting and includes an additional trap chamber connected to said flowchamber through another restricted flow passageway or restrictionpermitting said valve member to move into either of said trap chambersthrough said restrictions dependent upon the direction of fluid flow,said flow port on said flow chamber being said restricted flowpassagewaybetween said flow chamber and said additional trap chamber.

12. A check valve as recited in claim 6 in which the relativeresiliencies of said valve member and said restriction, the area of saidrestriction and the relative sizes of said valve member and saidrestriction control the fluid pressure required to move said valvemember through said restriction and set the check valve.

13. A pressure latching check valve comprising:

a valve housing for connection into a fluid flowline and containing aflow chamber and a trap chamber and a restricted flow passageway orrestriction therebetween;

- at least one flow port arranged on each of said chambers; and

a valve member normally larger than said restriction initially arrangedin said flow chamber capable of being moved to close off flow of fluidsthrough said restriction in response to changes'in fluid velocitythrough said chambers and being moved from said flow chamber to saidtrap chamber through said restriction in response to changes in fluidpressure in said flow chamber, said valve member and said restrictionbeing resilient to permit movement of said valve member through saidrestriction into said trap chamber, said valve member preventing flow offluids through said trap chamber when said valve member is positioned insaid trap chamber.

14. A check valve as recited in claim 13 in which said trap chambercontains a plurality of ports and said valve member prevents flow offluids through one or more of said ports when said valve member ispositioned in said trap chamber.

15. A check valve as described in claim 13 in which said valve is doubleacting and includes an additional trap chamber connected to said flowchamber through another restricted flow passageway or restrictionpermitting said valve member to move into either of said trap chambersthrough said restrictions depending upon the direction of fluid flow,said flow port on said flow chamber being said restricted flowpassageway between said flow chamber and said additional trap chamber.

16. A check valve as described in claim 13 in which said valve memberscomprises resilient material.

17. A check valve as described in claim 13 in which said restrictioncomprises resilient means.

18. A check valve as described in claim 17 in which said resilient meanscomprises resilient material.

19. A check valve as described in claim 17 in which said resilient meanscomprises a closed spring surrounded by resilient material.

20. A check valve as recited in claim 13 in which the relativeresiliencies of said valve member and said restriction, the area of saidrestriction and the relative sizes of said valve member and saidrestriction control the fluid pressure required to move said valvemember through said restriction and set the check valve.

1. A pressure latching check valve comprising: a valve housing for connection into a fluid flow line and containing a flow chamber and a trap chamber and a restricted flow passageway or restriction therebetween; at least one flow port arranged on each of said chambers; and a valve member normally larger than said restriction initially arranged in said flow chamber capable of being moved to close off flow of fluids through said restriction in response to changes in fluid velocity through said chambers and being moved from said flow chamber to said trap chamber through said restriction in response to changes in fluid pressure in said flow chamber, said valve member being resilient to permit movement of said valve member through said restriction into said trap chamber, said valve member preventing flow of fluids through said trap chamber when said valve member is positioned in said trap chamber.
 2. A check valve as recited in claim 1 in which said trap chamber contains a plurality of ports and said valve member prevents flow of fluids through one or more of said ports when said valve member is positioned in said trap chamber.
 3. A check valve as described in claim 1 in which said valve is double acting and includes an additional trap chamber connected to said flow chamber through another restricted flow passageway or restriction permitting said Valve member to move into either of said trap chambers through said restrictions dependent upon the direction of fluid flow, said flow port on said flow chamber being said restricted flow passageway between said flow chamber and said additional trap chamber.
 4. A check valve as described in claim 1 in which said valve member comprises resilient material.
 5. A check valve as recited in claim 1 in which the relative resiliencies of said valve member and said restriction, the area of said restriction and the relative sizes of said valve member and said restriction control the fluid pressure required to move said valve member through said restriction and set the check valve.
 6. A pressure latching check valve comprising: a valve housing for connection into a fluid flowline and containing a flow chamber and a trap chamber and a restricted flow passageway or restriction therebetween; at least one flow port arranged on each of said chambers; and a valve member normally larger than said restriction initially arranged in said flow chamber capable of being moved to close off flow of fluids through said restriction in response to changes in fluid velocity through said chambers and being moved from said flow chamber to said trap chamber through said restriction in response to changes in fluid pressure in said flow chamber, said restriction being resilient to permit movement of said valve member through said restriction into said trap chamber, said valve member preventing flow of fluids through said trap chamber when said valve member is positioned in said trap chamber.
 7. A check valve as described in claim 6 in which said restriction comprises resilient means.
 8. A check valve as described in claim 7 in which said resilient means comprises resilient material.
 9. A check valve as described in claim 7 in which said resilient means comprises a closed spring surrounded by resilient material.
 10. A check valve as recited in claim 6 in which said trap chamber contains a plurality of ports and said valve member prevents flow of fluids through one or more of said ports when said valve member is positioned in said trap chamber.
 11. A check valve as described in claim 6 in which said valve is double acting and includes an additional trap chamber connected to said flow chamber through another restricted flow passageway or restriction permitting said valve member to move into either of said trap chambers through said restrictions dependent upon the direction of fluid flow, said flow port on said flow chamber being said restricted flow passageway between said flow chamber and said additional trap chamber.
 12. A check valve as recited in claim 6 in which the relative resiliencies of said valve member and said restriction, the area of said restriction and the relative sizes of said valve member and said restriction control the fluid pressure required to move said valve member through said restriction and set the check valve.
 13. A pressure latching check valve comprising: a valve housing for connection into a fluid flowline and containing a flow chamber and a trap chamber and a restricted flow passageway or restriction therebetween; at least one flow port arranged on each of said chambers; and a valve member normally larger than said restriction initially arranged in said flow chamber capable of being moved to close off flow of fluids through said restriction in response to changes in fluid velocity through said chambers and being moved from said flow chamber to said trap chamber through said restriction in response to changes in fluid pressure in said flow chamber, said valve member and said restriction being resilient to permit movement of said valve member through said restriction into said trap chamber, said valve member preventing flow of fluids through said trap chamber when said valve member is positioned in said trap chamber.
 14. A check valve as recited in claim 13 in which said trap chamber contains a plurality of ports aNd said valve member prevents flow of fluids through one or more of said ports when said valve member is positioned in said trap chamber.
 15. A check valve as described in claim 13 in which said valve is double acting and includes an additional trap chamber connected to said flow chamber through another restricted flow passageway or restriction permitting said valve member to move into either of said trap chambers through said restrictions depending upon the direction of fluid flow, said flow port on said flow chamber being said restricted flow passageway between said flow chamber and said additional trap chamber.
 16. A check valve as described in claim 13 in which said valve members comprises resilient material.
 17. A check valve as described in claim 13 in which said restriction comprises resilient means.
 18. A check valve as described in claim 17 in which said resilient means comprises resilient material.
 19. A check valve as described in claim 17 in which said resilient means comprises a closed spring surrounded by resilient material.
 20. A check valve as recited in claim 13 in which the relative resiliencies of said valve member and said restriction, the area of said restriction and the relative sizes of said valve member and said restriction control the fluid pressure required to move said valve member through said restriction and set the check valve. 